The CrazyRev Page

Stress management

2012-01-29T00:02:00.000Z

Some days ago, one of my former pupils was 'complaining' about the stress brought on by his current exam diet. I put together the following suggestions for him, and now publish them here for any others who may be feeling stressed out at any time. 1. Pray. Now, I realise that some might not be up for that - and, of course, one needs to be in a relationship with the Lord if it's going to be

Abortion - buy it here!

2012-01-21T21:37:00.001Z

One of today's major news items has been the permission for private clinics in the U.K., that advertise abortion, for profit, to advertise their services on British television and radio. In my mailbox, the following arrived. It's from the U.S. of A. but, in this instance, only the numbers involved make it any different from here in the U.K. "Abortion has had a massive tearing effect on America

An eye for an eye!

2012-01-20T23:27:00.001Z

It was one of my former pupils who posted on her Facebook page that "If we all lived by 'an eye for an eye' the whole world would be blind. It's a statement that I have heard many times before and, whilst apparently logical it is, in fact, displaying a misunderstanding of the original words as found in, inter alia, Exodus 21:23-25 - "If any harm follows, then you shall give life for life, eye

PA Leader: All Muslims are Obligated to Kill Jews

2012-01-18T21:49:00.000Z

A top Palestinian Authority religious leader claimed in a sermon at a major Fatah event that Muslims are obligated to kill the Jews. The Mufti Muhammad Hussein presented the murder of Jews by Muslims as a religious Islamic goal while celebrating the 47th anniversary of the Palestinian Authority’s Fatah faction. An appointee of Palestinian Authority Chairman and Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas,

For Richer or Poorer

2012-01-15T13:08:00.000Z

Last night, I posted this story on my Facebook page. "The wives who lived within the walls of the Weinsberg Castle in Germany were well aware of the riches it held: gold, sliver, jewels, and wealth beyond belief. Then the day came in 1141 A. D. when all their treasure was threatened. And enemy army had surrounded the castle and demanded the fortress, the fortune, and the lives of the men

Happiness, and Joy.

2012-01-12T23:30:00.001Z

Okay, I confess. Having caught part of an episode of the TV series Spooks, while waiting in the A&E Department of Glasgow's Western Infirmary (my mother-in-law was the patient), I started watching it, from the beginning, online. It's my kind of programme - and I was as up-to-date with N.C.I.S. (and N.C.I.S. - Los Angeles) as I could be! In the episode I watched last night, I heard one

Too much; too little; just right!

2012-01-09T21:21:00.001Z

The main news item, this morning, concerned the reported moves by the Prime Minister to "do something" about the enormous salaries paid out to top executives in the major British companies - £5million appears to be quite commonplace! At the same time, we are assured that other moves are afoot to deal with the burgeoning Benefits' bill. Both of these moves will seem to be perfectly fair and

Stephen Hawking pronounces!

2012-01-06T21:39:00.002Z

On Sunday, Prof. Stephen Hawking will (DV) celebrate his 70th birthday anniversary. Not bad for a man who was informed, in his 20s, that he had only a short time to live! One in the eye, one might say, for the proponents of euthanasia/assisted suicide! To celebrate this auspicious occasion, the BBC Radio 4 programme, Today, invited listeners to send in questions that could be put to the

The Birdcage Story

2012-01-05T13:08:00.001Z

You may have heard this one, but it's worth sharing again. A man was on the side of the road with a large birdcage. A boy noticed that the cage was full of birds of many kinds. "Where did you get those birds?" he asked. "Oh, all over the place," the man replied. "I lure them with crumbs, pretend I'm their friend then when they are close, I net them and shove them into my cage." "And what

Contentment!

2012-01-04T19:52:00.000Z

One of the news stories over the past few days, has concerned the problems that have arisen over a certain brand of breast implant. Closely related to it is one about the lack of training required for those who would inject others with Botox. While it is true that a percentage of the women who have had breast implants have had them as part of reconstructive surgery after a mastectomy, the

I know how you feel! ("Oh no, you don't!")

2012-01-02T14:44:00.001Z

During my time as a full-time parish minister, there were occasions on which I had the unwelcome, but necessary, task of conducting the funeral service for a stillborn child, or one that had survived a very short time after birth. These were, as most folk would understand, difficult situations. It was my custom to visit with the bereaved family on one or two occasions prior to the funeral but,

What is a Christian?

2012-01-01T23:21:00.000Z

This afternoon, I watched most of the BBC programme Songs of Praise - sub-titled "The Big Sing"! I say 'most' because there were times when I switched over for few minutes, just to get away from the programme! The first time was when a young lady informed us, in the space of a minute, that winning "The X Factor" was the most important thing that had happened to her in her whole life; and then

A Guid New Year tae ane an' a'

2011-12-31T14:13:00.001Z

I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year - 'Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.' And he replied, 'Go into the darkness, and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than a light and safer than a known way!' So I went forth and, finding the hand of God, Trod gladly into the night. He led me towards the hills, And the breaking of day in the

The Slaughter of the Innocents

2011-12-28T23:10:00.000Z

Today is also the day in the Christian Church calendar on which we especially remember those who were massacred by king Herod, as he endeavoured to dispose of this new-born 'King of the Jews', of Whom he had been informed by the Magi who had travelled to Jerusalem, from the east. (see Matt.2). I found myself thinking of two particular groups, of much greater relevance than those infants who were

A tale of two funerals.

2011-12-28T22:23:00.002Z

There were, sadly, a lot more than two funerals taking place today - but I'm thinking of two specific ones. The first was (and, as far as I can make out, continues to be) a state occasion as the body of Kim Jong-il, second member of the Kim 'dynasty' in North Korea, was paraded around Pyongyang with tens of thousands in attendance, displaying grief in a manner that makes one speculate as to the

The Christmas Message

2011-12-24T18:51:00.000Z

The Gospel according to John doesn't tell us anything about the birth of the Christ-child. John commences his record long before that - indeed, right at the beginning of everything! "In the beginning was the Word (the Son - Jesus), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." Yet John provides us with the Christmas message in just one well-known verse. It's the verse that is sometimes

Prime Minister calls for a "return to Christian values"!

2011-12-17T00:53:00.000Z

It is reported that, yesterday, the Prime Minister delivered a staunch defence of the role of religion as he condemned a growing “do as you please” culture. In a speech to celebrate the 400th birthday of the King James Bible (the Authorised Version), he said the New Testament had helped give our country “a set of values and morals which make Britain what it is today”. He said we should “

The death of an avowed atheist.

2011-12-16T21:42:00.000Z

The death was announced, today, of Christopher Hitchins - outspoken author, atheist, and alcoholic. The late Mr Hitchins famously took on Mr Tony B Liar (former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland), in a televised debate last year in Toronto, Canada, linking God to a "celestial dictatorship, a kind of divine North Korea". Mind you, taking on as

Paying for the most capable!

2011-12-12T23:52:00.001Z

Time, and time again, we are informed that it is necessary to pay extravagent salaries, and outrageous bonuses, to senior bankers and others, in order to ensure that we get the best people at the top! It has now been revealed by the FSA that a major cause of the collapse of The Royal Bank of Scotland, in 2008, was "poor management"! If that is the result of paying people like "Sir" Fred

Imitating others.

2011-12-10T00:22:00.003Z

Earlier in the week, it was reported that heavy objects had been thrown, from bridges, at cars passing underneath, in the Blackburn area of West Lothian. Thankfully, on those occasions, no-one was hurt but, as an Inspector from the Lothian and Borders Police Force stated: "... there is every chance this mindless vandalism could have had serious consequences." One theory is that the perpetrator(

Moving the goalposts!

2011-12-07T22:35:00.001Z

I was unsure as to which of two thoughts I would share, this evening. The decision has been made for me - neither of them! I have just been informed that, despite what we were led to think, it now appears that ANYONE in the UK AND BEYOND can respond the Scottish Government's consultation on redefining marriage. Yesterday, the pro-same-gender-marriage groups let it slip that they are asking

I Learned Everything From Noah's Ark

2011-12-06T21:21:00.000Z

This has been circulating for many years, but it's still a really great list showing how Noah's Ark teaches us a lot in our daily lives. 1. Don't miss the boat. 2. Remember that we are all in the same boat. 3. Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark. 4. Stay fit. When you're 600 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big. 5. Don't listen to critics;

WW III is apparently over!

2011-12-05T16:26:00.000Z

The newspaper headline says it all - GERMANY AND FRANCE DECLARE: 'THE TIME HAS COME FOR A FEDERAL EUROPE' So Frau Merkel has accomplished, with the assistance of the conniving little Sarkonaparte, what neither Kaiser Wilhelm nor Herr Hitler managed to do - and without a shot being fired! Remember these words? - "I would say to the House, as I said to those who have joined this government:

Pandas help cement China links

2011-12-04T22:59:00.002Z

The following is a copy of the body of a letter that I have sent to The Herald newspaper. It will be interesting to see if it will be published! "It would appear that the most important event to occur, in Scotland, on Sunday, was the arrival of two animals - albeit giant pandas! Mind you, one could have been forgiven for thinking that they are more than animals, what with bagpipes being

Scotland For Marriage

2011-12-04T16:17:00.002Z

Anyone who missed the earlier petition, in support of the traditional definition of marriage, that I had here, may sign the new one. Please note - if you signed the earlier one, DO NOT sign this one; if you do not have an address in Scotland, DO NOT sign any Scotland-specific petition. Please click on the link below! Scotland For Marriage

More on marriage!

2011-11-30T21:12:00.001Z

I was in Edinburgh, this morning, with more than 150 others, demonstrating in support of the traditional meaning of marriage as being a man and a woman, to the exclusion of all others, for life. The numbers would probably have been greater, but the organisers deliberately didn't put out much publicity in order that the demonstration would not be hijacked by opponents. It was a dignified

Carrots, Eggs and Coffee

2011-11-29T22:11:00.000Z

As regular visitors know, I love it when something comes to my mail-box that I can share on my blog. A number of my personal friends are going through difficult times, just now. Many others, who visit here, may also be finding life to be tough. I hope that this story (for the veracity of which, I am unable to vouch!) will be an encouragement to each, and all. Be Blessed! "A young woman went

Dedicated to my 'huggy' friends!

2011-11-26T19:59:00.001Z

Another piece of news in yesterday's media was that a survey, by the manufacturers of Nivea Cream, had established that Britons spend around one hour each month hugging relatives, close friends, and acquaintances! It would seem that, as a nation (there will always be some exceptions - apparently one third still don't like hugging, and certainly think that it should be avoided at work!) we are no

Truth - or lies?

2011-11-25T21:51:00.001Z

I haven't seen the offending advertisement on T.V., but I gather from newspaper reports that certain furious parents are demanding that the Mail Order firm, Littlewoods, scrap its ad campaign because, they claim, it ruins the magic of Christmas! The reason for this outburst is, I understand, that the ad shows a mum putting gifts under the Christmas tree, instead of 'Santa'!! In other words,

A converted church!

2011-11-23T22:49:00.000Z

I walked up from the Strathclyde Police, 'N' Divisional H.Q. this evening. It used to sit between two church buildings. However, one of them was demolished, many years ago, and the site is now occupied by our local Lidl store. The building on the other side was in use until the last minister retired, and the congregation was united with another local fellowship. The building is now being used

Unsung heroes

2011-11-21T00:55:00.000Z

I'm never at ease with the word 'hero' being used to denote those who have not put their physical lives at risk in order to save the life of another. However, the following, from the Evangelical Alliance, shows that there are those who are definitely going "the second mile" as they serve others, in Jesus' Name. Unsung Christian heroes from across the UK were recognised for their community work

And great was the fall of it!

2011-11-20T14:39:00.000Z

A little after mid-day, today, Glencairn Tower - a Motherwell landmark for some 60 years - crashed to the ground in a controlled demolition. I don't know how long it took to build it, but it was down in less than 5 seconds! The surrounding streets were well-filled with Motherwell resident who had come to watch - many of them, no doubt, like myself (and family!) former residents in the block.

The Faith of a Child

2011-11-18T21:44:00.001Z

In a world in which the media seems to concentrate only on 'bad news', it is good to read a positive report. This story arrived in my mailbox, earlier today. Read, and rejoice!The story was written by a doctor who worked in Central Africa ... One night I had worked hard to help a mother in the labour ward but, in spite of all we could do, she died leaving us with a tiny premature baby

We're all in this together!

2011-11-17T21:32:00.001Z

When Lee Iacocca became chairman and CEO of Chrysler at the height of the car giant's problems in 1979, he knew he would have to ask employees to take a pay cut to keep the company out of bankruptcy. Although he persuaded the United States' Congress to guarantee the company loans, he was still deeply distrusted by Chrysler's union members. He knew that he had to find a way to persuade these

Redefinition of marriage.

2011-11-15T10:27:00.000Z

I have signed a petition calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government not to redefine marriage and thought you may like to sign it too. Marriage has served Scotland well for centuries as the fundamental unit of our society and I do not believe that it should be changed. Redefining marriage to include same-sex marriage will have huge implications for what is taught and

Lest we forget.

2011-11-13T21:30:00.001Z

This afternoon, in my capacity as a Strathclyde Police Force Chaplain, I had the honour of again conducting the annual Remembrance Day service at the Memorial to Officers of the former Lanarkshire Constabulary who exchanged their police uniforms for military ones, and died in either the Great War (1914-18) or in World War II (1939-45). As far as I know the Memorial, which is situated in the

Money, money, money - or the lack of it, or other people's!

2011-11-10T23:16:00.000Z

As happens so often, two news stories stand in complete contrast to one another. Over the past couple of days, we have been informed that the "private" wedding of Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall actually cost the British taxpayer a cool £400,000 in policing costs! When my elder daughter was married - admittedly a little over 11 years ago - her complete wedding didn't cost 1% of that amount! In

Cancer Research, or homosexuality?

2011-11-09T19:16:00.000Z

Which is of greater importance - Cancer Research, or homosexuality in its different "forms"? I haven't shopped in Tesco since they started selling the "morning-after" contraceptive (read 'abortion'!) pill, over the counter, to under-age girls. I hope that many more will now pin their colours to the mast and also boycott them! This artice is from "Marketing Week", a magazine focused on the

Is a promise an assurance?

2011-11-08T21:40:00.000Z

In this morning's Today programme, on BBC Radio 4, there was an interview with a journalist who had been covering the trial of Dr Conrad Murray, accused of the involuntary manslaughter of the pop star, Michael Jackson. She was asked about the scene when the "Guilty" verdict was announced to the waiting crowds. This lady was obviously very excited, and repeated the words "I promise you".

Accident, or design?

2011-11-05T21:22:00.000Z

This evening, I travelled down from Aberdeen, where I had spent an overnight with my good friend, April. I am very grateful to her for her generous hospitality; to sister, Hayley, for her chat; and to brother-in-law, Carl, for his computer expertise! I travelled by coach - and was able to plug my laptop (on which Carl had performed major surgery!) into a mains supply, and take advantage of

There is some good in the world!

2011-11-03T17:33:00.000Z

This morning, in my capacity as a Force Chaplain, I was at the Strathclyde Police Force Training and Recruitment Centre, Jackton, East Kilbride, for the presentation, by the Chief Constable, of Bravery Awards to both Police Officers and members of the public. This year we also had a Paramedic, and a member of Police Staff, among the numbers. The citations that were read out - and that, I was

Love!

2011-11-01T21:00:00.000Z

According to today's copy of The Independent newspaper, "Love, supposedly, is many things. Blind, if you ask Shakespeare. All you need, says John Lennon. But scientifically compliant? Subject to a set of specified natural laws? Nothing more than a simple mathematical equation? It doesn't sound terribly romantic. Still, it's a prospect that has got matchmakers more than a little excited."

Pot; Kettle; Black!

2011-10-30T23:10:00.001Z

Those were the words that immediately came to mind when I heard the news, earlier today, that China's Middle East envoy had called on the Syrian government to speed up the reforms it has promised in response to popular demands, saying the situation was dangerous and the bloodshed - well reported by the international media - could not continue. Now, like any sane person, I am happy that

Meeting the family!

2011-10-25T22:25:00.000+01:00

I can still (vaguely!!) remember heading towards my first meeting with the parents of the young girl whom I had been dating (and who has now been my wonderful wife for more than 41 years!!). It was a rather daunting prospect. Would they like me? Would they think that I was good enough for their daughter? Would they be impressed - or otherwise - that I was a student of Divinity? I need not

Tony Blair helps Kazakhstan boosts its image in West.

2011-10-22T17:45:00.001+01:00

The heading is taken directly from today's Telegraph newspaper, above an article by Andy Bloxham that explains the way in which the former British Prime Minister "... works for several governments and companies including the rulers of Kuwait; JPMorgan Chase, the bank; and UI Energy Corporation, a South Korean oil company", and claims that "Mr Blair's deal with the country, said to be worth

What's a life worth?

2011-10-20T13:54:00.000+01:00

Two, apparently unrelated, items of news this week, have prompted that question. It would appear that, to the Israeli Government, one life - that of Sgt.Major Gilad Shalit - is worth more than a thousand terrorists, at least one of whom, Wafa al-Bis, on her release, publicly announced that she would seize any opportunity to mount another suicide mission [against Israel and its citizens]

Christian Commitment

2011-10-15T23:25:00.000+01:00

Many years ago, I came across a reproduction of some words that had been written by an African pastor, and fastened to the wall of his home. Whilst attending to some clearing-up, earlier this evening, I found my (slightly amended) copy of those words. I share them, as a challenge to myself, and to all who dare to call themselves "disciples of Jesus". "I'm a part of the fellowship of the

Statistics of death!

2011-10-14T23:21:00.002+01:00

It was the 19th century British Prime Minister, Benjamin Disraeli, who made the claim that: "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics!" One wonders how he would have survived in the 21st century with its plethora of polls and their resulting statistics. However, some statistics are unarguable. At the end of this month (27th) there is the National Day of Prayer about

(Un)Common Sense!

2011-10-13T00:19:00.000+01:00

"Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:- Knowing when to come in out of the rain; Why the early bird gets the worm; Life isn't always fair; and Maybe it

Romans 8:28

2011-10-08T19:36:00.002+01:00

The door-bell was ringing; someone was knocking; I awoke, and realised that it wasn't a dream; the bedside clock showed that it was 0250! Jumping up, and grabbing my dressing-gown, I made for the front door. As I walked down the hallway, I saw that there were blue flashing lights outside. I called to my wife - thinking that there was some emergency that entailed our neighbours and us being

Death - is it really the end?

2011-10-04T21:13:00.002+01:00

Rev Dr Geoffrey Grogan was most aptly described as "a gentle, gracious, giant of a man." He was a former Principal of The Bible Training Institute, Glasgow (now merged with the Northumbria Bible college to become The International Christian College), and had previously lectured at the BTI. My own time at the BTI was during the years in between his years as a lecturer and as Principal, so I

Persecution continues, unabated!

2011-10-03T23:26:00.000+01:00

Recently, on my Facebook page, I was taken to task (albeit, politely, by a former pupil) for raising the issue of the continuing persecution of disciples of Jesus by some of those who claim to be upholding the religion of Islam. Unfortunately, I am able to publicise only a small percentage of the cases of persecution that come my way - not all of them, admittedly, the actions of Muslim

The law - is it only for breaking?

2011-10-01T01:11:00.000+01:00

A number of years ago, I decided to stop shopping in Tesco because they had started to sell the "morning-after" pill - not a contraceptive; more of a DIY abortion - without prescription, and without any concern as to the age of the customer! This meant that any girl, even if under the legal age for indulging in penetrative sexual intercourse, could ensure that no pregnancy would occur; and that

Preaching the Word!

2011-09-19T16:19:00.000+01:00

On yesterday morning's Sunday programme (BBC Radio 4) excerpts from a debate on the subject of Faith, between Dr Rowan Williams, the current Archbishop of Canterbury, and the well-known 'stand-up' comedian, Frank Skinner, were played. I don't now who chose the particular excerpts that were broadcast but, in my opinion, they certainly showed Frank Skinner as being the better communicator - and I

A Fair Umpire

2011-09-13T17:18:00.000+01:00